Idris Elba to work with Home Secretary to stop knives ending up in the hands of young people
Idris Elba is to work with the Government to stop knives ending up in the hands of young people.
Commander Stephen Clayman, the national policing lead for knife crime, will carry out an urgent review of “gaps in legislation” as part of a new initiative being launched on Monday.
Elba, the Hollywood actor and campaigner, will join Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street to promote a coalition of organisations coming together to stop young people being dragged into violent gangs.
Technology companies, sporting organisations, the health service and the police are also involved in what is expected to be the first annual knife crime summit.
So-called zombie knives have already been outlawed but there is concern that gaps exist in other areas of knife legislation.
Current legislation bans the sale of knives to under 18s but many fear that the law is not being sufficiently enforced, particularly among online retailers.
Campaigners have called for stricter age checks for internet sales.
Mr Clayman, the head of specialist crime at the Metropolitan Police, will lead a rapid review to understand why under 18s are still able to circumvent the law and buy and receive deadly weapons online.
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has asked him to report back to her by the end of the year.
Mr Clayman said: “Knives are far too easily accessible, with online sellers being a key focus of our work over the last year.
“I look forward to leading the review into online supply and continuing to work in close partnership with Government, retailers and the third sector to find ways we can bring meaningful, long-term change that will make our streets safer for everyone.”
Sir Keir said: “As director of public prosecutions, I saw first hand the devastating impact that knife crime has on young people and their families. This is a national crisis that we will tackle head-on.
“We will take this moment to come together as a country – politicians, families of victims, young people themselves, community leaders and tech companies – to halve knife crime and take back our streets.”
Ms Cooper added: “Getting weapons off our streets and making sure there are tough and clear consequences for violence are vital.
“And we also need to prevent young people heading down this path – that means offering young people more hope, more opportunities.”
